The injuries are starting to pile up for the Los Angeles Clippers, who host the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night at Staples Center. Point guard Chris Paul will miss his fourth straight game with a strained left hamstring, and now comes news that starting small forward Caron Butler is out with a hyperextended right knee.
Ryan Gomes will start at small forward for the Clippers against Minnesota, per Clippers broadcaster Isaac Lowenkron.
Butler, who scored a season-low two points on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, had an MRI earlier Friday and "everything came back clear," reported Dan Woike of the Orange County Register. Butler, who signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Clippers in the offseason, is averaging 14.8 points and 4.3 rebounds this season.
Head coach Vinny Del Negro said Paul could play on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, per Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. But given that the Raptors are 4-11 and the Clippers have two more off days after Sunday before facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, it doesn't seem too far fetched to hold Paul out for another game.
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